Kelp Protection and Recovery

Large brown algae commonly known as ‘kelp’ provide habitat to a variety of species in Puget Sound. Declines in the amount of bull kelp have been observed in many areas. The Northwest Straits Commission works to monitor and protect kelp in northern Puget Sound.

Olympia Oyster Restoration

Tiny Olympia oysters used to flourish in the waters of Puget Sound, but overharvesting and pollution brought them to near extinction. Marine Resources Committees, in partnership with multiple organizations, are working to restore native Olympia oyster populations in their historic range in the Northwest Straits region.

MyCoast

A portal to collect and analyze pictures and data relating to nearshore and storm events that can be used to visualize the impact of nearshore hazards and to enhance awareness among decision-makers and stakeholders.

There are miles and miles of beautiful shoreline in Whatcom and Skagit counties, and both have amazing volunteer citizen science programs that help protect these ecologically, economically, and culturally-important places.

Volunteers receive free training from regional experts, and are paired up with local opportunities to put that training to use benefiting our coastlines and marine waters. Applications are now open for the 2019 season - no experience needed! If you are interested in protecting the Salish Sea you are qualified.

Skagit: more information and an application can be found here, or contact Joan Drinkwin at salishseastewards@gmail.com. The application deadline is March 1 for Salish Sea Stewards, and space is limited.

The Northwest Straits Commission is a regional coordinating body comprised of people who care about the marine areas where they live, and who work together to protect and restore marine resources.

The Northwest Straits Commission carries out regional conservation projects and supports the work of seven Marine Resources Committees through funding, technical support, training and regional coordination.

February Commission Meeting

Be Whale Wise at the Seattle Boat Show

San Juan

If you are headed to the Seattle Boat Show stop by the San Juan MRC's Be Whale Wise booth to learn what you can do to help protect the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Pledge to Be Whale Wise and enter to win Seahawks season tickets! Look for them at booth #58 in the West Hall. The Boat Show goes through February 2.

If you can't make the Boat Show, you can still learn how to help the Southern Resident Killer Whales on the San Juan MRC website.

More derelict vessels removed in Snohomish

Snohomish

Thanks to the Snohomish MRC and the Department of Natural Resources for removing two more derelict vessels from the Snohomish River Estuary this month, bringing the total number removed under this project to seven. Removal of these abandoned and derelict boats improves habitat for salmon, prevents water pollution, and improves public safety and navigation.

Grant funds from the Local Integrating Organization and Department of Natural Resources were matched by Snohomish County Surface Water Management Utility fees to fund this project. Learn more at www.snocomrc.org.

New beaches added to MyCoast

Island

Visiting Camano Island? The MyCoast smartphone app has two new beaches on Camano, where you can contribute to a time-lapse photo series. Download the app for iPhone or Android before your next visit to Camano Island State Park and Utsalady Point. Learn more at https://mycoast.org/wa.

Member Spotlight: Elsa Schwartz

Island MRC

Elsa joined Island MRC in January 2015 after she became intrigued by the concept of Marine Resources Committees while studying at the University of Washington under Dr.Terrie Klinger, a former San Juan MRC member and Northwest Straits Commissioner. The idea of a localized, bottom-up approach to protecting and restoring marine resources appealed to her as she was forming a career around her love of the marine world. Elsa is the Senior Director of Restoration for Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), an Instructor of Marine Science at Trinity Lutheran College in Everett and is also a member of The Coastal Society and the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation.